Beyond Happiness: The Zen Way to True Contentment Book

Many books have been published in recent years on happiness. Zen teacher Ezra Bayda believes that the happiness “boom” has been largely a bust for readers. Why? Because it’s precisely the pursuit of happiness that keeps us trapped in cycles of dissatisfaction and suffering.

In Beyond Happiness, Bayda draws on Zen teachings to question our conventional notions about happiness. Most of us seek happiness in things that are external to us. We imagine that getting more money, a better relationship, or going on a nice vacation will finally make us happy. But he shows us that the deepest and most lasting kind of happiness does not rely on external circumstances at all. It’s deeper than any kind of passing emotional state or circumstance, and beyond any idea we have about it.

He offers Zen insights and practices to help readers to tap into the true sources of lasting happiness: mindfulness, compassion, gratitude, and generosity. Beyond Happiness is loaded with simple meditation and mindfulness practices that will help readers to put these insights into action in their daily lives. Practices include: basic sitting meditation, gratitude practice, loving-kindness practice, and the Three Questions (Am I happy right now? What blocks happiness? Can I surrender to what is?).

Publishers Weekly

This gentle, introspective approach to finding happiness is based on asking three questions when confronted by life's difficulties: "Am I truly happy right now? If not, what blocks it? Can I surrender to what is?" Bayda (Zen Heart) deconstructs the usual myths about happiness as dependent on external conditions and striving—even spiritual striving—and provides simple practices to encourage contentment in daily life. These practices cultivate awareness of the present moment and opening the heart for individuals who aren't committed to a specific religion or spirituality. Despite the book's title—and Bayda's 15 years as a Zen teacher—the author mentions this tradition rarely, focusing instead on a basic Buddhist orientation to the mind, emotions, and virtues such as generosity, loving-kindness, and forgiveness. Bayda has struggled with an immune system disorder and brings compassion to the problem of finding genuine happiness. While this book would have benefitted from more concrete writing and sharper examples, it is a perceptive guide to an often discussed topic. (Dec. 14)